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Indigenous Australia
Fred Hollows had a fierce determination to improve the eye health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This mission lives on in The Foundation and much of the work we do.
Where it began
When Fred Hollows saw an injustice, he couldn’t help but do something. This is exactly what happened when he saw the inexcusable living and health conditions in Aboriginal communities.
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The National Trachoma Program
Fred wanted trachoma eradicated from Australia. To begin the task, Fred and Gabi, alongside specialists and many Aboriginal volunteers, visited more than 100,000 people in remote and rural Australia over two years.
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The Indigenous Australia Program
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are three times more likely to go blind, but 90% of vision loss is preventable or treatable. Our program in Australia focuses on education, screening and treatment to put an end to these alarming figures.
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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
On average, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders die 10 years younger than other Australians, and experience a burden of disease 2.3 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians. Of this disease burden, chronic diseases (like respiratory, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, diabetes and mental illnesses) account for almost two-thirds (64%). As a society however, there is a lot that we can do to change the conversation and improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Eye Health
Did you know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are three times more likely to have vision impairment or go blind than other Australians? Or that cataract is 12 times more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians than non-Indigenous Australians?
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Reconciliation Action Plan
We're driven by Fred’s vision to eliminate avoidable blindness, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have access to quality health services, and to stand up for what is right. Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) represents The Fred Hollows Foundation’s ongoing commitment to embrace, respect and promote the cultures, rights and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Close the Gap
Close the Gap is a phrase you may have heard of but do you really know what it means? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children generally have better vision than other Australian children. As adults however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are three times more likely to go blind.